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Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology2008; 458(2); 419-430; doi: 10.1007/s00424-008-0620-4

Adaptive response of equine intestinal Na+/glucose co-transporter (SGLT1) to an increase in dietary soluble carbohydrate.

Abstract: Experimental and epidemiological evidence suggests that consumption of hydrolyzable carbohydrate, hCHO (grain), by horses is an important risk factor for colic, a common cause of equine mortality. It is unknown whether the small intestinal capacity to digest hCHO and/or to absorb monosaccharides is limiting, or even if horses can adapt to increased carbohydrate load. We investigated changes in the brush-border membrane carbohydrate digestive enzymes and glucose absorptive capacity of horse small intestine in response to increased hCHO. Expression of the Na(+)/glucose co-transporter, SGLT1, was assessed by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, Northern blotting, QPCR, and Na(+)-dependent D-glucose transport. Glucose transport rates, SGLT1 protein, and mRNA expression were all 2-fold higher in the jejunum and 3- to 5-fold higher in the ileum of horses maintained on a hCHO-enriched diet compared to pasture forage. Activity of the disaccharidases was unaltered by diet. In a well-controlled study, we determined SGLT1 expression in the duodenal and ileal biopsies of horses switched, gradually over a 2-month period, from low (<1.0 g/kg bwt/day) to high hCHO (6.0 g/kg bwt/day) diets of known composition. We show that SGLT1 expression is enhanced, with time, 2-fold in the duodenum and 3.3-fold in the ileum. The study has important implications for dietary management of the horse.
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Publication Date: 2008-12-02 PubMed ID: 19048283DOI: 10.1007/s00424-008-0620-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study investigates how the digestive system of horses, specifically the small intestine, adapts to an increase in soluble carbohydrate from the diet. The findings reveal that the expression of the Na(+)/glucose co-transporter, SGLT1, linked to glucose absorption, increases significantly in response to a diet high in hydrolyzable carbohydrates.

Introduction to the Study

  • The research focuses on the effect of dietary soluble carbohydrate (referred to as hydrolyzable carbohydrate, or hCHO) on horses. This focus is driven by the understanding that consumption of hCHO (which comes from grain) may be a risk factor for equine colic, a common cause of horse mortality.
  • The study observes whether horses have the capacity to digest high amounts of hCHO, whether they can sufficiently absorb monosaccharides (the simplest form of carbohydrate), and if they can adapt to a high-carbohydrate diet.

Methodology

  • The study assesses changes in the brush-border membrane carbohydrate digestive enzymes and glucose absorptive capacity of the horse’s small intestine. These elements are examined because they play a role in how the horse’s body processes the hCHO.
  • To measure these changes, the study uses various forms of analysis, including Western blotting, immunohistorychemistry, Northern blotting, QPCR, and Na(+)-dependent D-glucose transport.
  • The horses are grouped into two categories: those maintained on an hCHO-enriched diet and those on pasture forage.
  • The diets were designed to gradually switch horses from low hCHO (<1.0 g/kg bwt/day) to high hCHO (6.0 g/kg bwt/day) over two months, and the study recorded the expression levels of SGLT1 in the duodenal and ileal biopsies of these horses.

Findings

  • The results showed that horses on the hCHO-enriched diet demonstrated 2-fold higher glucose transport rates, SGLT1 protein, and mRNA expression in the jejunum and 3 to 5-fold higher in the ileum.
  • Over time, as horses switched from low to high hCHO diets, the expression of SGLT1 increased 2-fold in the duodenum and 3.3-fold in ileum. In other words, the ability to absorb glucose improved substantially with increased carbohydrate consumption.
  • The increase in SGLT1 expression indicates that horses have the ability to adapt to a diet high in carbohydrates by improving their glucose absorption capacity.

Implications

  • The findings have important implications for dietary management of horses. Understanding how horses’ digestive systems adapt to high carbohydrate diets offers possibilities for more efficient and safer dietary planning to minimize the risk of colic.

Cite This Article

APA
Dyer J, Al-Rammahi M, Waterfall L, Salmon KS, Geor RJ, Bouré L, Edwards GB, Proudman CJ, Shirazi-Beechey SP. (2008). Adaptive response of equine intestinal Na+/glucose co-transporter (SGLT1) to an increase in dietary soluble carbohydrate. Pflugers Arch, 458(2), 419-430. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00424-008-0620-4

Publication

Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology
ISSN: 1432-2013
NlmUniqueID: 0154720
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 458
Issue: 2
Pages: 419-430

Researcher Affiliations

Dyer, Jane
  • Epithelial Function and Development Group, Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, The University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill and Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZJ, UK.
Al-Rammahi, Miran
    Waterfall, Louise
      Salmon, Kieron S H
        Geor, Ray J
          Bouré, Ludovic
            Edwards, G Barrie
              Proudman, Christopher J
                Shirazi-Beechey, Soraya P

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Adaptation, Physiological
                  • Animals
                  • Dietary Carbohydrates / pharmacology
                  • Female
                  • Glucose Transporter Type 2 / biosynthesis
                  • Horses
                  • Ileum / drug effects
                  • Ileum / metabolism
                  • Immunohistochemistry
                  • Jejunum / drug effects
                  • Jejunum / metabolism
                  • Male
                  • Microvilli / metabolism
                  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
                  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 1 / biosynthesis
                  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 1 / metabolism
                  • Solubility
                  • Sucrase / metabolism
                  • alpha-Glucosidases / metabolism

                  Grant Funding

                  • G9900432 / Medical Research Council

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